Online Sports Council

MLB‘s trade deadline is fast approaching, and teams are beginning to declare whether they will be buyers or sellers in the market.

This year’s non-waiver trade deadline is August 1, a day later than usual due to the fact that July 31 falls on a Sunday.

Aside from the obvious contenders and pretenders, most teams in the middle are still biding their time to determine whether or not they should make a push for the postseason. As a result, there has been a shortage of concrete rumors to this point, but the rumblings should begin to pick up in the final week of July.

Here’s an update on some of the most recent rumors and discussions floating around the league:

Indians, Brewers discussing multiplayer deal

ESPN’s Buster Olney provided one of the juiciest deadline rumors of the season to date when he linked the Cleveland Indians to Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy:

Sources: CLE in talks for MIL’s Jonathan Lucroy. Perhaps Brantley’s situation has pushed them to add a hitter & consider upgrade at catcher.

FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal later added that while the Indians are interested in Lucroy, “above all” they want bullpen help.

Fortunately for both teams, the Brewers have the ability to provide Cleveland with both an upgrade at catcher and another arm for the pen.

Tom Haudricourtof the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel provided an update to the trade talks on Thursday, stating “you can bet relievers are part of talks.”

Brewers reliever Will Smith, who is under team control through the 2019 season, according to Spotrac, would presumably be the primary target for Cleveland.

The Tribe is desperate for a lefty arm in the bullpen, which Smith would provide. Twenty-four-year-old Kyle Crockett, who has appeared in just five games this season, is currently the only lefty in the Indians bullpen.

Rays put Chris Archer on the block

ESPN’s Jayson Stark added a surprising name to the trade rumors on Thursday:

Heard from another executive today that “untouchable” wouldn’t describe Rays’ stance on Chris Archer. Listening. But want a “huge” return.

The last-place Rays are clearly sellers this year, but Archer was not initially expected to be among the players moved.

According to Spotrac, Archer is still under contract through 2019 with team options for 2020 and 2021. And at no point during the contract will Archer earn over $10 million per year.

With Archer under one of the most team-friendly contracts in all of baseball, the Rays can rightfully expect a massive haul in return if they do move their ace.

Despite the high asking price, the Rays will almost certainly receive intriguing offers from around the league. Rosenthal recently reported that the White Sox were offered a “king’s ransom” for Chris Sale but turned down the deal. It’s possible that the mystery team willing to go all-in on Sale might be willing to put together a similar offer for the 27-year-old Archer.

White Sox will be sellers

While the White Sox may not be willing to part with Sale just yet, the team will be looking to sell at the deadline rather than make a last-ditch effort to reach the postseason, according to Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago.

Chicago hung around longer than expected this season, but the Sox are just 2-8 in their last 10 games and have fallen 10.5 games behind the Indians in the AL Central.

The White Sox’s most valuable asset on a short-term contract would be Todd Frazier, who is only under team control through 2017.

Frazier has been struggling at the plate, batting just .216, but he still brings value to the lineup due to his power stroke. Frazier already has 28 home runs on the year.

Brett Lawrie, also under contract through 2017, wouldn’t net as much as Frazier on the trade market but could also be moved at the deadline. His versatility due to his experience at second and third base could increase his value slightly.

Chicago also has the expiring contracts of catcher Dioner Navarro and first baseman Justin Morneau to offer in lesser deals.